BEN Thatcher has emerged as a target for newly-promoted West Ham and London rivals Charlton.

The City left-back, who was on the verge of moving to Fulham earlier in the season, is wanted for his experience at Upton Park where many of Alan Pardew's side lack a top-flight background.

Alan Curbishley meanwhile sees 29-year-old Thatcher as the ideal replacement for Paul Konchesky who seems certain to be leaving the Valley this summer.

Blues boss Stuart Pearce could do without yet more defensive upheaval given the three-pronged move for skipper Sylvain Distin, but he at least has a ready-made replacement if Londoner Thatcher and his family decide that a move back south is top of their agenda.

Academy product Stephen Jordan made 19 Premiership starts last season and the 23-year-old has just signed a new contract with the Blues.

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Thatcher, meanwhile, has stressed his desire to stay with City for the remainder of the deal that brought him from Leicester last summer.

"I have three seasons left on my contract and I would like to stay and play as many games as possible in that time," he declared before leaving for his summer holiday.

"Everyone knows the background to the proposed move to Fulham.

"The police had to be called three times to my house and it spooked my wife.

"It was really unpleasant and unsettling for a young family. It shook her and us all up a bit.

"To be honest I have never been unhappy at Manchester City, it was just one of those things. The transfer window coincided with the break-ins and Chris Coleman asked about me. It went from there but I am not disappointed that it fell through.

"When Stuart Pearce took over he asked me into his office and asked me how I felt and I told him that I am happy here."